---
title: "Clarke"
description: "communicates, 25-30. Job is exhorted to listen attentively to Elihu"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/job/33"
---

*communicates*, 25-30.
*Job is exhorted to listen attentively to Elihu's teaching*,
31-33.
NOTES ON CHAP. XXXIII

Verse [Job 33:3](../../../kjv/job/33/3). ***My words*****shall be of*****the uprightness*** — As God has given me his Spirit, from that Spirit alone will I speak; therefore all my words shall be of uprightness, knowledge, and truth.
***Knowledge clearly.*** — דעת ברור *daath barur, pure science*. I shall lay down no *false positions*, and I shall have no false consequences.

Verse [Job 33:4](../../../kjv/job/33/4). ***The Spirit of God hath made me*** — Another plain allusion to the account of the *creation of man*, [Genesis 2:7](../../../kjv/genesis/2/7), as the words נשמת *nishmath, the breath* or *breathing* of God, and תחיני *techaiyeni,* *hath given me life*, prove: "He *breathed* into his nostrils the *breath* of *lives*, and he became a *living soul*."

Verse [Job 33:6](../../../kjv/job/33/6). ***I*****am*****according to thy wish in God's stead: I also am**********formed out of the clay.*** — Mr. *Good*, and before him none other that I have seen, has most probably hit the true meaning: -
"Behold, I am thy fellow.
I too was formed by God out of the clay."

The word כפיך *kephicha*, which we translate *according to thy wish,* and which, if *Hebrew*, would mean *like to thy mouth*; he considers as pure Arabic, with a Hebrew postfix, [Arabic] *kefoo*, signifying *fellow, equal, like*. Taken in this way, the passage is very plain, only לאל *lael, by* or *through God*, must be added to the *last* clause of the verse instead of the *first*, as Mr. *Good* has properly done.

Verse [Job 33:7](../../../kjv/job/33/7). ***My terror shall not make thee afraid*** — This is an allusion to what Job had said, [Job 9:34](../../../kjv/job/9/34): "Let him take his rod away from me, and let not his fear terrify me." Being thy *equal*, no fear can impose upon thee so far as to overawe thee; so that thou shouldst not be able to conduct thy own defence. We are on *equal terms*; now prepare to defend thyself.

Verse [Job 33:8](../../../kjv/job/33/8). ***Surely thou hast spoken*** — What Elihu speaks here, and in the three following verses, contains, in general, simple quotations from Job's own words, or the obvious sense of them, as the reader may see by referring to the margin, and also to the notes on those passages.

Verse [Job 33:11](../../../kjv/job/33/11). ***He putteth my feet in the stocks*** — [Job 13:27](../../../kjv/job/13/27).

Verse [Job 33:12](../../../kjv/job/33/12). In ***this thou art not just*** — Thou hast laid charges against God's dealings, but thou hast not been able to *justify* those charges; and were there nothing else against thee, these irreverent speeches are so many proofs that thou art not *clear* in the sight of God.

Verse [Job 33:13](../../../kjv/job/33/13). ***Why dost thou strive against him?*** — Is it not useless to contend with God? Can he do any thing that is *not right*? As to his giving thee *any account* of the *reasons why he deals thus and* *thus* with thee, or any one else, thou needest not expect it; he is sovereign, and is not to be called to the bar of his creatures. It is sufficient for thee to know that "he is too wise to err, and too good to be unkind."

Verse [Job 33:14](../../../kjv/job/33/14). ***For God speaketh once*** — Though he will not be summoned to the bar of his creatures, nor condescend to detail the reasons of his conduct, which they could not comprehend, yet he so acts, in the main, that the *operation* of his *hand* and the *designs* of his *counsel* may sufficiently appear, provided men had their *eyes* open upon his *ways*, and their *hearts* open to receive his *influence*.
Elihu, having made the general statement that God would not come to the bar of his creatures to give account of his conduct, shows the *general means* which he uses to bring men to an acquaintance with themselves and with him: he states these in the six following *particulars*, which may be collected from [Job 33:15-24](../../../kjv/job/33/15-24).

Verse [Job 33:15](../../../kjv/job/33/15).
I. ***In a DREAM - when deep sleep falleth upon men*** — Many, by such means, have had the most salutary warnings; and to decry all such, because there are many *vain dreams*, would be nearly as much wisdom as to deny the Bible, because there are many foolish books, the authors of which supposed they were under a Divine influence while composing them.
II. ***In a VISION of the night-in slumberings upon the bed*** — *Visions* or *images* presented in the *imagination* during slumber, when men are betwixt sleeping and waking, or when, *awake* and in bed, they are wrapt up in deep contemplation, the darkness of the night having shut out all objects from their sight, so that the mind is not diverted by images of earthly things impressed on the senses. Many warnings in this way have come from God; and the impression they made, and the good effect they produced, were the proofs of their Divine origin. To deny this would be to call into doubt the testimony of the best, wisest, and holiest men in all ages of the Church. Of one of these visions we have a remarkable account in this book, [Job 4:12-21](../../../kjv/job/4/12-21). And this vision seems to have taken place in the night season, when *Eliphaz* awoke *from a deep* *sleep*. There is this difference between the accidents of the *dream* and the *vision*: the *former* takes place *when deep sleep falleth* *upon men*; the *latter*, in the *night, in* or *after* slumberings upon the bed.

Verse [Job 33:16](../../../kjv/job/33/16). ***Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth, c.*** —
III. *By secret INSPIRATIONS*. A dream or a vision simply considered is likely to do no good it is the *opening of the understanding*, and the *pouring in of the light*, that make men wise to salvation. Serious alarms, holy purposes, penitential pangs for past sins, apprehension of death and judgment, discoveries of God's justice, of Christ's love, of the world's vanity, of heaven's excellence, c., &c., &c., are often used by the Divine Spirit *to withdraw men* *from their* evil *purpose, and to hide pride from man*, [Job 33:17](../../../kjv/job/33/17) and of all these openings of the ear of the heart, and sealing instructions upon the conscience, we have numerous examples in the history of the Church, in the experience of good men, and even in the civil and providential history of all nations.

Verse [Job 33:18](../../../kjv/job/33/18). ***He keepeth back his soul from the pit*** — By the above means, how many have been snatched from an untimely death! By taking the warning thus given, some have been prevented from perishing by the *pit*- some *sudden accident*; and others from the *sword* of the *assassin* or *nocturnal murderer*. It would be easy to give examples, in all these kinds; but the knowledge of the reader may save this trouble to the commentator.

Verse [Job 33:19](../../../kjv/job/33/19). ***He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, c.*** —
IV. - AFFLICTIONS are a *fourth* means which God makes use of to awaken and convert sinners. In the hand of God these were the cause of the salvation of *David*, as himself testifies: *Before I* *was afflicted, I went astray*, [Psalms 119:67](../../../kjv/psalms/119/67); [Psalms 119:71](../../../kjv/psalms/119/71); [Psalms 119:75](../../../kjv/psalms/119/75).
***The multitude of his bones*** — By such diseases, especially those of a *rheumatic* kind, when to the patient's apprehension *every bone* is *diseased, broken*, or *out of joint*.
Some render the passage, *When the multitude of his bones is yet* *strong* meaning those sudden afflictions which fall upon men when in a state of great firmness and vigour. The original, ורוב עצמיו אתן *verob atsamaiv ethan*, may be translated, *And the strong* *multitude of his bones*. Even the strong multitude of his bones is chastened with pain upon his bed; the place of rest and ease affording him no peace, quiet, or comfort.
The *bones* may be well termed *multitudinous*, as there are no less than 10 in the *cranium*, or *skull; upper jaw*, 13; *lower jaw*, 1; *teeth*, 32; *tongue*, 1; *vertebrae*, or *back-bone*, 24; *ribs*, 24; *sternum*, or *breast-bone*, 3; *os innominatum*, 1; *scapula*, or *shoulder-blades*, 2; *arms*, 6; *hands*, 54; *thigh-bones*, 2; *knee-bones*, 2; *legs*, 4; *feet*, 54: in all, not less than 233 bones, without reckoning the *ossa sethamoides*; because, though often numerous, they are found only in hard labourers, or elderly persons.

Verse [Job 33:20](../../../kjv/job/33/20). ***His life abhorreth bread*** — These expressions strongly and naturally point out that general *nausea*, or *loathing* which sick persons feel in almost every species of disorder.

Verse [Job 33:21](../../../kjv/job/33/21). ***His flesh is consumed away*** — As in atrophy, marasmus, and consumptive complaints in general.

Verse [Job 33:22](../../../kjv/job/33/22). ***His soul draweth near unto the grave*** — נפש *nephesh,* *soul*, is here taken for the *immortal spirit*, as it is distinguished from חיה *chaiyah*, the *animal life*. The former draws near to the pit, שחת *shachath, corruption*; perhaps he meant dissipation, considering it merely as the *breath*. The latter draws near לממתים *lamemithim*, to the *dead*; i.e., to those who are *already buried*. Mr. *Good* translates it *the Destinies*; and supposes the same is meant among the HEBREWS by the *Memithim*, as among the GREEKS by their Μοιραι; the LATINS, by their *Parcae*; the GOTHS, by their *Fatal Sisters*; the SCANDINAVIANS, by their goddess *Hela*; and the ARABIANS, by *Azrael*, or the *angel of death*. I think, however, the signification given above is more natural.

Verse [Job 33:23](../../../kjv/job/33/23). ***If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, c.*** —
V. - The MESSENGERS of righteousness this is a FIFTH *method*, אם יש עליו מלאך מליץ im yesh alaiv malach melits, "If there be over him an interpreting or mediatorial angel or messenger." *One among a* *thousand*, אחד מני אלף echad minni aleph. "One from the CHIEF, HEAD, or TEACHER."
***To show unto man his uprightness*** — להגיד לאדם ישרו *lehaggid* *leadam yoshro*, "to manifest or cause to be declared to man his righteousness:" to show unto *Adam - men in general*, the descendants of the first man - his purity and holiness; to convince him of sin, righteousness, and judgment, that he may be prepared for the discovery of what is next to be exhibited.

Verse [Job 33:24](../../../kjv/job/33/24). ***Then he is gracious unto him*** — He exercises mercy towards fallen man, and gives command for his respite and pardon.
***Deliver him from going down to the pit*** — Let him who is thus instructed, penitent, and afflicted, and comes to me, find a *pardon*; for:-
VI. ***I have found a ransom.*** — כפר *copher, an atonement*. *Pay a* *ransom for him*, פדעהו pedaehu, that he may not go down *to the* *pit*-to corruption or destruction, for *I have found out an* *atonement*. It is this that gives efficacy to all the preceding means; without which they would be useless, and the salvation of man impossible. I must think that the *redemption of a lost world*, by *Jesus Christ*, is not obscurely signified in [Job 33:23-24](../../../kjv/job/33/23-24).
While the whole world lay in the wicked one, and were all hastening to the *bottomless pit*, God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him might not perish, but have everlasting life. Jesus Christ, the great sacrifice, and *head* of the Church, commissions his *messengers-apostles* and their *successors-to show men the* *righteousness of God*, and his displeasure at sin, and at the same time his infinite love, which commands them to proclaim *deliverance* to the captives, and that they who believe on him shall not perish, shall not *go down to the pit* of destruction, for *he has found out an atonement*; and that whoever comes to him, through Christ, shall have everlasting life, in virtue of that atonement or ransom price.
Should it be objected against my interpretation of אלף *aleph*, that it cannot be translated *chief* or *head*, because it is without the *vau shurek*, אלוף alluph, which gives it this signification; I would answer, that this form of the word is not *essential* to the signification given above, as it occurs in several places without the *vau shurek*, where it most certainly signifies a *chief*, a *leader, captain*, c., e.g., [Zechariah 9:7](../../../kjv/zechariah/9/7) [Jeremiah 13:21](../../../kjv/jeremiah/13/21), and [Genesis 36:30](../../../kjv/genesis/36/30); in the first of which we translate it *governor*; in the second, *captain*; and in the third, *duke*. And although we translate *alluph* an *ox* or *beeve*, (and it most certainly has this meaning in several places,) yet in this signification it is written without the *vau shurek* in [Proverbs 14:4](../../../kjv/proverbs/14/4); [Psalms 8:7](../../../kjv/psalms/8/7); [Isaiah 30:24](../../../kjv/isaiah/30/24); and in [Deuteronomy 7:13](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/7/13); [Deuteronomy 28:4](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/28/4); [Deuteronomy 28:18](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/28/18); [Deuteronomy 28:51](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/28/51); which all show that this letter is not absolutely necessary to the above signification.

Verse [Job 33:25](../../../kjv/job/33/25). ***His flesh shall be fresher than a child's*** — He shall be born a *new creature*.
***He shall return to the days of his youth*** — He shall be *born* *again*, and become a *child of God*, through faith in Christ Jesus.

Verse [Job 33:26](../../../kjv/job/33/26). ***He shall pray unto God*** — Being now adopted into the heavenly family, and become a *new creature*, he shall have the *spirit of prayer*, which is indeed the very *breath* and *language* of the *new* or *spiritual life*.
***He will be favourable unto him*** — He shall manifest his good will to him; he shall live under the influences of Divine grace.
***He shall see his face with joy*** — He shall know that God is reconciled to him; and this shall fill him with joy, בתרועה *bithruah, with exultation*: for, "being justified by faith, he has peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom he has received the atonement; and REJOICES in the hope of the glory of God."
***He will render unto man his righteousness.*** — So good and gracious is the Lord, that by his grace he will enable this convert to live to his glory, to bring forth all the fruits of the Spirit, and then *reward* him for the work, as if it were done by his own might.

Verse [Job 33:27](../../../kjv/job/33/27). ***He looketh upon men*** — אנשים *anashim*, wretched, fallen men. He *shines into them*, to convince them of sin; and if any, under this convincing light of God, *say, I have sinned* against *heaven* and before thee, *and perverted the right*- abused the powers, faculties, mercies, and advantages, which thou didst give me, by seeking rest and happiness in the creature, *and it profited* *me not*- it was all *vanity* and *vexation* of spirit; ולא שוה לי *velo shavah li*, "and it was not equal to me," did not *come up* to my expectation, nor supply my wants: -

Verse [Job 33:28](../../../kjv/job/33/28). ***He will deliver his soul*** — He will do that to every *individual penitent sinner* which he has promised in his word to do for a lost world - he will deliver his soul from going down to the pit of hell.
***And his life shall see the light.*** — He shall walk in the light, as Christ is in the light; always enjoying a clear sense of his acceptance through the blood of the Lamb. See another mode of paraphrasing these verses at the end of the chapter. [Job 33:33](../../../kjv/job/33/33).

Verse [Job 33:29](../../../kjv/job/33/29). ***Lo, all these*****things*****worketh God*** — God frequently uses one, or another, or all of these means, to bring *men*, גבר gaber, stout-hearted men, who are far from righteousness, to holiness and heaven.
***Oftentimes*** — פעמים שלש *paamayim shalosh*, "three times over;" or as פעמים *paamayim* is by the *points* in the *dual* number, then it signifies *twice three times*, that is, *again* and *again; very* *frequently*. Blessed be God!

Verse [Job 33:30](../../../kjv/job/33/30). ***To bring back his soul from the pit*** — Nearly a repetition of the promise in [Job 33:28](../../../kjv/job/33/28).
***To be enlightened with the light of the living.*** — An echo of [Psalms 56:13](../../../kjv/psalms/56/13): "Thou hast delivered my soul from death, that I may walk before God in the light of the living;" and probably quoted from it.

Verse [Job 33:31](../../../kjv/job/33/31). ***Mark well, O Job*** — Pay the deepest attention to what I have said, and to what I shall say.

Verse [Job 33:32](../../../kjv/job/33/32). ***If thou hast any thing to say*** — If thou hast any objection to make against what I have already stated, now answer, now speak freely; for it is my desire that thou shouldst stand clear of all charges.

Verse [Job 33:33](../../../kjv/job/33/33). ***If not*** — Then I will proceed: *listen* carefully, *keep* *silence*, and *I will teach thee* what true *wisdom is*.
Job was silent; none of his friends chose to intermeddle farther; and in the next chapter Elihu addresses both Job and them.
THERE are some *various readings* in the MSS. and *versions* on certain words in the concluding verses of this chapter, which it will be necessary to mention, as they, if adopted, will lead to a somewhat different paraphrase to that given, especially of [Job 33:26-28](../../../kjv/job/33/26-28).
Ver. [Job 33:26](../../../kjv/job/33/26). For צדקתו *tsidkatho, HIS righteousness*, one MS. and the *Chaldee* have כצדקתו *ketsidkatho*, *ACCORDING to his* *righteousness*.
Ver. [Job 33:28](../../../kjv/job/33/28). For נפשו *naphsho, HIS soul*, which is the *keri* reading, and that which our translation has followed, נפשי *MY soul* is the reading of many MSS., early *editions*, the *Complutensian,* *Antwerp*, and *London Polyglots*, the *Jerusalem Targum*, the *Chaldee*, the *Vulgate*, and *Coverdale*.
For חיתו *chaiyatho, HIS life*, many MSS., early *editions*, the *Complutensian, Antwerp*, and *London Polyglots*, the *Jerusalem* *Targum, Chaldee, Vulgate*, and *Coverdale*, read חיתי *chaiyathi*, *MY life*. Both of these are properly the *kethib* or *textual* readings in the best editions, but are directed by the *Masora* to be changed for the *keri* readings, or those inserted in the *margin*.
For באור תראה *baor tireh, SHALL SEE the light*, six of *Kennicott's* and *De Rossi's* MSS. have תהיה *tihyeh*, and *twenty-one* have כאור *caor*, thus כאור תהיה *caor tihiyeh,* *SHALL BE AS the light*. The whole verse, by these various readings, will stand thus: - "He will deliver MY soul from going into the pit, and MY life SHALL BE AS the light." But if, with the *Septuagint,* *Syriac*, and *Arabic*, we read פדה *padah*, in the *imperative* mood, then the verse will read thus:-"DELIVER THOU MY SOUL from going down to the pit, and MY life SHALL BE AS the light."
On the [Job 33:26-29](../../../kjv/job/33/26-29), verses, the following paraphrase has been recommended.
Ver. [Job 33:26](../../../kjv/job/33/26). *He* (Jesus Christ, the *head* and *ransom price*) *shall* *pray unto God*, (shall make *intercession* for the *transgressors*, for he is the Mediator between God and man.) *And he* (God the Father) *will be favourable*, (ירצהו yirtsehu, will manifest his *good will* towards him.) *And he shall see his face* (פניו panaiv, his *faces*, God the Father, Son, and Spirit) *with joy*, (בתרועה bithruah, with *exultation* or *triumph*,) *for he will render unto* *man his righteousness*, (ושב לאנוש צדקתי yasheb leenosh tsidkatho, "He will restore to wretched man his righteousness;" i.e., he will create the soul anew, and restore to the fallen spirit that righteousness and true holiness which it has lost, and bring it again to its original state of perfection, through the grand atonement mentioned [Job 33:24](../../../kjv/job/33/24).)
But *when* is it that wretched miserable man shall be brought to this state of salvation? This is answered in
Ver. [Job 33:27](../../../kjv/job/33/27). *When God, looking upon men, seeth any of them saying, I* *have sinned and perverted that which is right, and it hath* *profited me nothing*-has afforded nothing *equal* to my wishes, and the tribulation which I sustained in seeking happiness in forbidden things. *Redeem my soul from going down to destruction,* *and my life shall see the light*, or *shall be as the light*. This is the prayer of the penitent, which God has promised to hear.
This is one of the best, the deepest, the most spiritual, and most important chapters which the reader has yet met with in the Book of Job. It is every way important, and full of useful information. It is a grand exhibition of the WAY of salvation as revealed to patriarchs and prophets.

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